Centrifugally controlled circuit closer



I J. W. HALE CENTRIFUGALLY CONTROLLED CIRCUIT CLOSER Aug. 14, 1934.

Original Filed Aug. 7, 1953 fizz/enter eksse WHale Patented Aug. 14, 1934 OFFICE CENTRHFUGAILY con'raonmn cmcm'r cmsaa Jesse W. Hale, Newton Center, Mass. Original application August 7, 1933, Serial No.

Divided and this application December 9, 1933, Serial No. 701,719

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a centriiugally 00111- trolled circuit closer.

In the embodiment shown, my invention is adapted for use with automatically controlled change speed devices of the type shown in my pending application, Serial No. 683,918 filed Aug. 7, 1933, of which this is a divisional application.

As the primary purpose of such a device is to .overcome inertia without stalling or straining the engine and to adjust automatically the speed of the engine and the driven member to load and operating conditions, a suitable governor is needed to effect the change of speeds not only in accordance with operating conditions, but also 16 as desired.

For this purpose, the engine speed is utilized as an indicator of its ability to handle the driven member at a decreased gear ratio and while the engine speed is thus the basic control "I have :0 provided throttle and brake control to domina the governing member if desired.

The primary difficulty has been to provide a governor that would close circuits to change speeds and yet would not shift back when de- 26 creased gear ratios had permitted a lessening of engine speed.

In my pending application, Serial No. 683,918, I have shown a change speed device in which the change speed was accomplished by electrical so means. I use with the governor, here shown, electrical means to overcome the difliculty stated As, normally, the weighted arms which are in control of the circuit closer are subjected to a retarding pressure, I use electrical means to reduce this pressure retarding action when reduced gear ratios have been eiiected between the engine and the driven member, thereby permitting the governor to keep the desired circuit closed at lesser engine speeds.

4,0 In the drawing I have shown an embodiment of my invention for the purposes set forth, also show-v ing in their simplest form the acceleration and brake controls. Throughout the specification and drawing like reference numerals are employed to indicate the corresponding parts.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in cross section of my centrifugally controlled circuit closer, also showing the operator controls.

The governor consists of a casing 1 in which is mounted a shaft 2 carrying in its lower por tion a circuit closing piston 3. The shaft or rod 2, in its upper portion, carries a collar 4 mounted thereon. The piston 3 is raised by the weighted arms 5 pivotally mounted on the gear 6 in mesh with the gear '1 connected to the engine to impart to the governor engine speed fluctuations.

The collar 4 is normally depressed by the spring 8 mounted on the rod 2 against the hollow piston 9 in the head 10. The head 10 includes a solenoid 11 surrounding the spring member 12 carrying the plunger member 9.

In the lower portion of the casing 1 are th circuits S S and S to control the change speed device as desired.

These circuits are, of course, insulated from each other as at 13. As was pointedout in my parent application No. 683,918, these circuits are to produce an idling position in my change speed device, low speed, or direct drive.

As the engine speed increases, the centrifugal force will carry, the collar 4 upwardly against the spring 8 and the circuit closing piston 3 will move accordingly. After the circuit S has been closed, a low speed will be produced and when the circuit S is closed direct drive will result. As this will result, under many conditions, in a decreased engine speed, I have provided that the circuit 8* will be closed simultaneously with the circuit S The circuit 8* includes the solenoid 11 which will attract the plunger member -9 against the spring member 12 and decrease the depressing action of the spring 8 permitting the circuit .3 to remain closed in spite oi. lower engine speed.

Connected to the lower portion of the circuit closing piston 3 is a cable 14 having a spring connection 15 with a lever 16 having an arm 17 subject to the brake 18 and an arm 1'! subject to the accelerator 19.

If the accelerator 19 is depressed, the cable 14 will tend to delay the action of the governor by increased resistance on the piston 3 permitting rapid acceleration. Similarly, if 'the brake 17 is applied, tension on the piston 3 will be increased until the engine speed decreases to close successively circuits S and S to adjust the gears in idling position.

Various modifications in the construction and operation of my device may obviously be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention if within the limits of the appended claims.

' What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A centrifugally controlled circuit closer for an electrically controlled change speed device comprising a casing having circuit contacts in the lower portion thereof, a circuit closer of piston type, means responsive to engine speed to carry said circuit closer upward, a compressible member adapted to retard the upward movement or said circuit closer, and one of said circuits including means to reduce the retarding action of said member.

2. A centrifugally controlled circuit closer for an electrically controlled change speed device comprising a casing having circuit contacts in the lower portion thereof, a circuit closer of piston type, means responsive to engine speed to carry said circuit closer upward, a compressible mem ber adapted to retard the upward movement of said circuit closer, one of said circuits including means to reduce the retarding action of said memher, and a brake and accelerator control adapted to increase the resistance against upward movement of said circuit closer.

3. A centrifugally controlled circuit closer for an electrically controlled change speed device comprising a casing having circuit contacts in the lower portion thereof, a circuit closer of piston type, means responsive to engine speed to carry said circuit closer upward, a compressible member adapted to retard the upward movement of said circuit closer, one of said circuits including means to reduce the retarding action of said member, said means including a solenoid, a hollow piston, a resilient member within said hollow piston, said resilient member and said compressible member being in active relation to each other and to said hollow piston, and. a brake and accelerator control adapted to increase the resistance against upward movement of said circuit closer.

4. A centrifugally controlled circuit closer for an electrically controlled change speed device comprising a casing having circuit contacts in the lower portion thereof, a circuit closer of piston type including a rod and a collar, 3. gear connected to register engine speed fluctuations and weighted arms pivotally mounted on said gear with arms including portions to engage said collar whereby said circuit closer is raised, a compressible member adapted to retard the upward movement of said circuit closer, one of said circuits including means to reduce the retarding action of said member, and a brake and accelerator control adapted .to increase the resistance against upward movement of said circuit closer.

JESSE W. HALE. 

